need help with black molly

[petlady]

I got a black molly yesterday and now for some reason it is just hiding in one of the caves in the tank. It wont come out. Why???? All I have in the tank is a black molly, a dwarf gourami, and an oto catfish.


Heidi

[TKOS]

What size tank? And what are the water parameter numbers (ph, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, kh, gh)? What kind of lights do you have? How long has the tank been setup?

[petlady]

its a 10 gal. I dont know all that stuff you asked. I dont have the stuff to test the water. It's a new setup. I have a flourescent stipe light and a underwater filter. 1 cave, 1 oriental style house decoration.

Heidi

[Blinky]

If it's a new setup, I recommend getting some test kits - if the tank wasn't cycled before adding fish, it's very important to monitor the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels. If you can't get test kits, and the tank isn't cycled, I suggest daily 25% - 50% water changes for the next little while, to keep ammonia and nitrite at safe levels while the tank matures.
There's a sticky on cycling - if you haven't read it, take a look at it :)

Your molly may be stressed from moving, or from ammonia/nitrite in the tank. Sometimes it's just a reaction to being put in a new environment, in which case the fish will probaly come out of hiding in a few days.

[Maj0rFiSh]

How big is this catfish? He may jus be plain scared...

[Harlock]

Otocinclus cats usually run between 1 and 2 inches. I doubt the molly is frightened of this mellow and out of the way algae eater.

[Maj0rFiSh]

Oh that small, ill have to search this up then..http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/Fishindx/oto-vittatus.htm

[geoffgarcia]

It's a new setupnewness is relative
are we talking: hours, days, weeks, months?

[TKOS]

Without owning test kits I too would suggest doing water changes daily for the next few days to a week until you can take your water to the petstore and have them test it (they usually do for free). Also with new fish in the tank I would suggest turning the light off for a few days. Sometimes this will help a fish feel more secure int he new home.

[petlady]

Thanks everyone. I realized the light i had in my strip was a reptile uvb light, so I found my aqua light and put it in. I also put a regular style tank lid on instead of the screen lid I had on the tank. Within half an hour he came out and is now swimming around. I will either get some test stuff or take some of the water to the local petstore just to make sure of the levels in it. Oh yea, the tank is new as within a day old. Thanks again everyone

Heidi